Rockets convert turnovers in TDs, top Devils 54-14

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Rockets Maddox Walter (2) scores one of his four touchdowns during the game against the Beallsville Blue Devils.

By Leigh Ann Rutledge

CCM Reporter

The Conotton Valley Rockets found their pot of gold at the end of a rainbow that illuminated the sky over the stadium Friday night just prior to homecoming festivities. 

The rainbow stretched across the sky and seemed to end at the Rocket scoreboard, which read HOME 54 – VISITORS (Beallsville Blue Devils) 14 at the end of the game. 

In recognition of October being breast cancer awareness month, referees threw pink flags. Monitoring the Rocket side of the field was Referee Cathy Moro of Steubenville. She has been a referee for 15 years and is in her second year at the varsity level. 

Senior Maddox Walter rushed for 175 yards and scored four touchdowns to keep Rocket nation on their feet and yelling at the top of their lungs. 

Beallsville received the opening kick-off and only briefly possessed the ball the remainder of the first half. 

‘Our defense did a nice job creating turnovers,” Rocket Head Coach Don Hertler stated following the win.

The Rockets recovered five Beallsville fumbles in the first half. 

The hosts took over on downs on the Beallsville 46 yard line after the Blue Devils’ first possession. Junior Gaige Galigher carried the ball to the 35-yard line and Walter took the ball to the end zone on the next play, putting the Rockets up 6-0 with 9:31 left in the first half. A two-point conversion attempt was no good. 

Walter scored his second touchdown from seven yards out after the Rockets recovered a Blue Devil fumble. A two-point conversion run by Walter was good. The Rockets led 14-0 with 7:28 left in the first quarter. 

A Blue Devil fumble on their 26-yard line set up the next Rocket touchdown, a two-yard score by Galigher. Conotton Valley cashed on another Beallsville fumble just minutes later when  Walter found the end zone. Both two-point conversions were good and the hosts led 30-0 with just over five minutes left in the quarter. 

Beallsville moved the ball into Rocket territory on their next possession but the drive stalled out.  The Rockets took over on their own 48-yard line. On the second play of the drive, Walter took the familiar path to the end zone. His two-point carry was good, giving the Rockets a 38-point lead. 

The Rockets recovered another Beallsville fumble on the visitor’s next possession. A pass from freshman quarterback Zachary Putnam to Brett Putnam resulted in a touchdown five seconds into the second quarter. A good two-point conversion put the Rockets up 46-0.

Brooks Bower intercepted a pass on Beallsville next possession that set up a two-yard Galigher touchdown. The two-point conversion was good. 

The Blue Devils came back in the second half, kicking an onside kick and recovering it to start the third quarter. They marched the ball down the field and, with 1:42 left in the third quarter, Bradley Moats scored.  A two-point conversion was good.

The Blue Devils started on their own 43 yard line and headed for the end zone. Moats added another touchdown with three minutes left in the game. 

“They weren’t the strongest team on our schedule, but I’m very pleased with the kids coming out and taking care of business,” Hertler said. “We face a very big challenge against River at home this Friday.” Kick-off is at 7 p.m.

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